From schooldays spent in isolation and brushes with the law, to his attempts to hold down numerous jobs with varying degrees of success or failure, Gordon Williams has led a challenging life that is as colourful as his language.

Yet despite living with Tourette’s and other mental health conditions - all of which have threatened to destroy his close relationships and limit his career options over the years - Gordon is now planning his wedding and making a success of his life working with a Teesside charity.

In fact, when you first meet the 42-year-old, his Tourette’s is almost unnoticeable.

The first thing that strikes you about him is his love for family and friends, including his fiancee, five children and three stepchildren, and his enthusiasm for charity work, fundraising and supporting others with Tourette’s.

Gordon Williams

The next thing you notice is how fast he talks, often jumping from one subject to the next, and the zest he seems to have for his happy life in Coulby Newham, where he lives with fiancee Paula Hughes, 41, their nine-year-old son, Paula’s daughters and their Jack Russell dogs.

A confident, creative and outspoken man, he is keen to show off beautiful photographs he has taken through his hobby as a street photographer, and share the stories behind them.

Characteristic impulses

What is not immediately noticeable is that, every now and then, Gordon struggles to stifle an unprintable four-letter word, insult or accusation, or his urges to jerk his head to one side or roll his eyes.

The impulses are characteristic of the Tourette’s he has somehow learned to control in most circumstances over the years.

At the same time, Gordon struggles with OCD and gets intrusive thoughts of harming himself, sometimes going as far as touching a hot iron or trying to stop a blade in a food processor with his finger.

He also suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and an impulse for defiance.

Gordon Williams with his photo collection

But thanks to his work supporting others with Tourette’s, his love of photography and his fundraising for the Tees Valley, Durham and North Yorkshire Neurological Alliance, Gordon manages to keep his head above water.

“I must have been born with Tourette’s, but I was only diagnosed at the age of 38. I took on street photography as one of my coping mechanisms as I don’t believe in medication," he said.

“While talking to you, I’m suppressing a lot of it.”

Avoiding 'do not press' buttons

Gordon has had to explain himself to police on numerous occasions.

Thankfully, he says police have been very understanding over the years.

When his impulses to hurl insults have taken over, he has produced a card from the charity Tourettes Action explaining he has the condition.

Gordon's Tourettes Action ID card

He has also learned to keep out of the way of “pull in an emergency” handles, “do not press” or “evacuate” buttons he sees in public.

Gordon also avoids ethnic minority groups on the street for fear of a slur popping into his head and slipping out.

Insulting anybody is the last thing he wants to do - and it has got him into scrapes over the years.

But the condition has been hard for Paula to bear at times and she admits she sometimes needs space on her own.

Her daughters thought he was “a pain of a stepdad” who made cruel jibes and upset their mum.

Then, with Paula ready to break the news their relationship was over, Gordon came home and said he had broken down in front of a doctor, telling him he believed he had Tourette’s.

Gordon Williams with his partner Paula Hughes

It was from there that his diagnosis was eventually made official.

Paula said: “I just sat there with my head in my hands.

"I couldn’t believe all this time I’d just thought he was a pain in the butt, and there was a reason for it all. I felt so guilty.”

Trouble at school

Gordon’s mum and brother had never been able to understand why he was constantly in trouble at school, making noises or running from teachers.

They were shocked to learn his behaviour was not just down to “Gordon being Gordon” but was a medical condition.

Gordon said: “My mum thought I was just a naughty kid who used to make noises as my verbal tics were really bad when I was a kid.

"There was less understanding in the 1980s and 1990s, whereas now it’s picked up better in children.

"But there needs to be more support for adults who have never been diagnosed and need help.”

More support

He and Paula now work together to tackle the more dangerous impulses associated with his OCD. The couple’s relationship has gone from strength to strength and they are due to marry next year.

Yesterday Gordon was to abseil down the Transporter Bridge for TVDNY Neurological Alliance. He said: “Working with the charity has been really helpful to keep my mind occupied and they are really supportive. They are a fantastic charity that helps anyone with any kind of neurological condition or brain injury.

“They benefit a lot of people across Teesside and I’m happy to be able to help them with fundraising.”

Gordon is also keen to help anyone who thinks they or someone they care for may have Tourette’s and can be contacted by email at tourettesisnojoke@gmail.com

For more information on Tourette’s look here. For more on the work of TVDNY Neurological Alliance, visit this page.